House Bill 36 98, laid out in committee by Senator Alvarado, would expand the Texas Workforce Commission’s authority to enroll unemployment claimants in reemployment services and eligibility assessment (RECE/RESEA) programs when the agency believes participation will shorten the claimant’s duration of unemployment and strengthen program goals.

Senator Alvarado said the bill conforms with recent federal law and allows TWC to enroll claimants when staff determine that participation will reduce benefit duration, align with Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act goals, and expedite reemployment. “House bill 36 98 is a key initiative that empowers claimants with the resources and support necessary to successfully reenter the workforce,” Alvarado said.

Mary York of TWC explained the existing model used to identify required participants—factors include local unemployment rate and occupation and whether a claimant is likely to exhaust benefits—and said the bill would allow the agency to identify additional individuals for more intensive services. The committee closed public testimony and left the bill pending subject to the call of the chair.